DEAD CELEB OF THE WEEK: GENE RODDENBERRY (1921-1991)

Born: August 19, 1921
Died: October 24, 1991Star Trek creator Gene Roddenberry has gone where few men have gone before.
When he died, seven grams of his ashes were launched into space by Celestis, Inc., the pioneer and global leader in Memorial Spaceflights. Now that his wife, actress Majel Barrett Roddenberry (1932-2008) has died, Mr. and Mrs. will be reunited. Of sorts.
Says their son Gene II: We have planned a very compelling future memorial service for my mother and father. Fulfilling a pledge made to Majel in 1995, Celestis, Inc. will launch [14 grams of] my mother and my father together, side-by-side, on an infinite journey into deep space aboard their Voyager Memorial Spaceflight Service.
The spacecraft is currently planned for launch in 2012 and it will carry their spirits, their memories, and the message of their life’s work into the cosmos.”
The fee? A cool $37,500. The fee includes invitations to the launch and memorial services, a custom-made, professionally produced DVD of the launch and memorial activities, inscription of the participant’s name and message on a special plaque included in the spacecraft and complimentary scattering of the balance of remaining cremated remains at sea near the launch site.